Creating an aggregate report of a presence of a user on a network

ABSTRACT

A physical network presence management system includes a processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory includes executable code stored thereon such that the executable code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to implement a network browser; in which the processor is configured to: track content uploaded to a network through the network browser; periodically search the network for content related to the user authored by a source other than the user; the searching being based on a unique set of identifiers associated with the user; dynamically update the set of unique identifiers based on contextual trends within content returned as a result of the searching; and aggregate content published by the user with the content returned as a result of the searching to create an aggregate report of the presence of the user on the network.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the present invention relate in general to the reporting ofan individual's presence over a network, and more particularly, tomethods and systems for creating and managing a report of anindividual's presence over a network.

An individual or organization is said to have a presence on a networkwhen content accessible through the network is publicly attributed to orassociated with that individual or organization. For example, anindividual may use a network such as the Internet to publish contentauthored by the individual, such as blog postings, discussion forumpostings, social network content, public photos, wiki entries, personalwebsites, and the like. Any such information that includes the name ofthe individual authoring the content or publicly references theindividual in some other way is part of the presence of that individualon the Internet. In many cases, the network presence of an individual ororganization may include third-party content that was not authored bythe individual or organization, but still references or otherwiseidentifies the individual or organization. Examples of such third-partycontent include, but are not limited to, news publications, publicrecords, profiles on professional or employer-related websites, personalwebsites or blogs, social network content, public photos, directories,and the like.

It is often the case that content associated with an individual or anorganization can affect how others perceive the individual ororganization. Accordingly, an individual or organization may wish toascertain its overall network presence.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method performed by a physical computing device communicativelycoupled to a computer network for creating an aggregate report of apresence of a user of the physical computing device on the networkincludes periodically searching the network with the physical computingdevice for content related to the user authored by a source other thanthe user the searching being based on a unique set of identifiersassociated with the user, dynamically updating the unique set ofidentifiers based on contextual trends within content returned as aresult of the searching, and aggregating content published by the userto the network with the content returned as a result of the searching toform the aggregate report of the presence of the user on the network.

A physical network presence management system includes a processor and amemory communicatively coupled to the processor, the memory includingexecutable code stored thereon such that the executable code, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the processor to implement a networkbrowser. The processor is configured to track content uploaded to anetwork through the network browser, periodically search the network forcontent related to the user authored by a source other than the user;the searching being based on a unique set of identifiers associated withthe user, dynamically update the set of unique identifiers based oncontextual trends within content returned as a result of the searching,and aggregate content published by the user with the content returned asa result of the searching to form an aggregate report of the presence ofthe user on the network.

A computer program product for forming an aggregate report of a presenceof a user on a network, the computer program product includes a computerreadable storage medium having a network browser embodied as computerreadable code. The computer readable program code includes computerreadable program code configured to track content uploaded to thenetwork through the network browser, computer readable program codeconfigured to periodically search the network for content related to theuser authored by a source other than the user; the searching being basedon a unique set of identifiers associated with the user, computerreadable program code configured to dynamically update the set of uniqueidentifiers based on contextual trends within content returned as aresult of the searching, and computer readable program code configuredto aggregate content published by the user with the content resultingreturned as a result of the searching to form an aggregate report of thepresence of the user on the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of theprinciples described herein and are a part of the specification. Theillustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scopeof the claims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an illustrative network presence managementsystem, according to one embodiment of principles described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an illustrative process for network presencereport formation, according to one embodiment of principles describedherein.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an illustrative process for updatingcontent, according to one embodiment of principles described herein.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an illustrative process for updating uniqueidentifiers, according to one embodiment of principles described herein.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an illustrative user interface for managinga network presence, according to one embodiment of principles describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an illustrative public network presencemanagement system which may provide public network presence reports,according to one embodiment of principles described herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method for forming anetwork presence, according to one embodiment of principles describedherein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification discloses methods and systems to determine anetwork presence for a particular user. In addition the presentspecification discloses methods and systems that allow the user tomanage his or her network presence. According to certain illustrativeembodiments, a network management system may be configured toperiodically search a network for content related to a particularindividual. This content may or may not have been authored or publishedby the individual. The search may be based on a set of uniqueidentifiers associated with the individual. The network presencemanagement system may be configured to update the set of uniqueidentifiers based on additional identifiers found within the contentresulting from the periodic searching. An aggregate report of contentfound on the network related to the individual may then be formed.

A method or system embodying principles described herein may allow agroup or individual to see a report of its presence on a network. Insome embodiments, an individual may view and edit the content that isassociated with his or her aggregate report. In some embodiments, anaggregate report may be made available to other individuals.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in an object oriented programming language suchas Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program codefor carrying out operations of the present invention may also be writtenin conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

The present invention is described below with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Throughout this specification and in the appended claims, the phrase“aggregate report of a network presence” is to be broadly interpreted asa compiled description of content on a network which is in some mannerrelated to or associated with a particular individual or organization.The term “network presence management system” is to be broadlyinterpreted as a physical computing system having software storedthereon, the software being configured to instruct a processor of thephysical computing system to perform operations related to the formingand management of an individual's network presence.

Throughout this specification and in the appended claims, the term“content” is to be broadly interpreted as an object published on anetwork including, but not limited to, a wiki entry, a blog posting, adiscussion forum posting, an article, an electronic document, anelectronic file, and a website.

Throughout this specification and in the appended claims, the term“unique identifier” is to be broadly interpreted as a term, title, orobject associated with a piece of content on a network which may berelated to a particular individual or group. Unique identifiers may beused to relate certain content with a particular individual or group.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing anillustrative network presence management system (100). According tocertain embodiments, a network presence management system (100) mayinclude a memory (102) having a network presence management software(104) including an aggregation engine (106) stored thereon. The networkpresence management system (100) may also include a processor (108) anda user interface (110).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the relevant art, a physicalcomputing device employs a form of memory (102). The memory (102) mayinclude memory storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid statedrives, and optical disc drives. Additionally, the memory (102) mayinclude faster forms of memory typically used for temporary storage suchas various forms of Random Access Memory (RAM). A processor (108) may beconfigured to execute instructions which are retrieved from memory(102).

The network presence management software (104) may be configured tosearch a network for content related to a particular individual. Thesoftware (104) may also be configured to display to a user a collectionof content related to the user. As mentioned above, content related toan individual may include, but is not limited to, blog postings,discussion forum postings, wiki entries, news articles, public records,personal websites, directory information, professional websites, andother forms of network publication.

An aggregation engine (106) may be used to aggregate various contentfound by the network presence management system (100). An aggregationengine (106) may be a software module configured to collect and sortcontent related to various individuals. The aggregation engine (106) maybe configured to compile a report of the content found on a networkrelated to a particular individual. Throughout the rest of thisspecification, the report will be referred to as an “aggregate report.”

A user interface (110) may provide a means for the user (112) tointeract with a computerized calendar system (100). A user interface mayinclude an output component such as a display device and inputcomponents such as a mouse or keyboard. Information associated with anaggregate report may be displayed to the user (112) through a displaydevice. Instructions from the user to the computerized calendar system(100) may be received through a keyboard or mouse.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an illustrative process (200) for creatingan aggregate network presence report (214) of a user (208). The user(208) may represent an individual or an organization or other group.According to certain embodiments, the process (200) for creating thenetwork presence report (214) may involve a user terminal (202)including a network browser (204) and a user interface (206), networkpresence software (212), a network (210) having user published content(216) and other content (218) related to the user (208) stored thereon.All user related content may have unique identifiers (220) associatedtherewith.

A user may gain access to a network presence management system throughthe user terminal (202). The user terminal (202) may be embodied as aworkstation and/or computing system including, but not limited to, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a server, and a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA) or other portable computing device. The user interface(206) associated with the user terminal (202) may provide the user (208)a way to access a network (210) through a network browser (204).

The network browser (204) is a software entity which provides the user(208) access to content over the network (210). In certain embodiments,the network (210) may be the Internet. Additionally or alternatively,the network (210) may be a corporate intranet or another local areanetwork (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). The network browser (204) mayallow the user (208) to publish content on the network (210). In certainembodiments, the network browser (204) may track actions performed bythe user (208) and add any content (216) published by the user (208) tohis or her network presence report (214).

In addition to the network presence report (214) having contentpublished by the user (208), the network presence software (212) may beconfigured to search the network (210) for new content related to theuser (208). This may be done by searching for unique identifiers (220)that may identify the particular user (208). A unique identifier may bea term or website that is associated with the particular user (208).

The network presence software (212) may be stored locally on the userterminal (202). Additionally or alternatively, the network presencesoftware (212) may reside on a server somewhere on the network (210) andbe made available to a user terminal (202) as a web application.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an illustrative process for updatingcontent (300). According to certain illustrative embodiments, a user'snetwork presence (304) may be associated with several unique identifiers(308) which may be used to search for content (306) related to a user atseveral locations (310) on a network (302).

In certain embodiments, a user may define his or her own uniqueidentifiers. For example, a user may use his or her name, profession,hobbies, and websites he or she commonly uses as unique identifiers(308). The network presence software (304) may then be configured tosearch the network (302) for content which includes any of the uniqueidentifiers (308).

The network presence software (304) may be configured to periodicallycrawl the network for content related to a particular user. In someembodiments, the network presence software may be configured to searchnetwork locations (310) where new content (306) related to a particularuser is likely to be found. This may be done by searching for one ormore of the unique identifiers (304) associated with the user. As usedin the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“crawl” is to be construed broadly as meaning to automatically browsenetwork content in a systematic, methodical manner. These locations(310) may include, but are not limited to, wiki entries, socialnetworks, blogs, newspaper sites, discussion forums, and documents. Incertain embodiments, a standard set of search locations (310) on thenetwork (302) may be crawled. This standard set of search locations(310) may include every location on the network (302) available to thenetwork presence software (304). Additionally or alternatively, the useror another entity may specify some or all of the locations (310) to becrawled in search of content (306) related to the user. In certainembodiments, a large set of search locations (310) may be divided intomultiple subsets such that one or more of the subsets is crawled morefrequently than others of the subsets.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an illustrative process for updating uniqueidentifiers (316). According to certain illustrative embodiments, a setof unique identifiers (308) may search the context of newly acquiredcontent (312) related to a user for common objects. These common objectsmay then be used to create an updated set of identifiers (314) includingthe new unique identifiers.

By dynamically updating the set of unique identifiers (308), the networkpresence software (304) may be able to maintain a more accurate set ofidentifiers for a particular user. According to certain embodiments,when new content (312) is found, the network presence software may beconfigured to search the new content (312) for common terms or objects.If a certain term or object meets a predetermined set of conditions suchas how often the term or object appears, then that term or object may beadded to the list of unique identifiers. The updated list of uniqueidentifiers (314) may then be used to search the network (302) foradditional content (306) related to a particular user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an illustrative user interface (400) formanaging a network presence. According to certain illustrativeembodiments, a user may view and manage their network presence from anetwork browser (402). The options available through the browser mayinclude “view report” (406), “edit report” (408), and “my uniqueidentifiers” (410). The network browser may also show a network presencepresentation (412) as well as a reputation indicator (414).

According to certain embodiments, a user may manage or view a report ofhis or her network presence through the network browser (402). Incertain embodiments, an add-on application may be provided to extend thefunctionality of the network browser. The user may also be provided witha toolbar (404) which may provide him or her with various functions andoptions associated with the network presence management software as wellas network browsing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the user may be able to view his or her networkpresence report directly in the network browser (402). This report maybe shown textually or graphically. FIG. 4 shows a graphical presentation(412) of a network presence. In the present example of a graphicalpresentation (412), each unique identifier may be displayed along with ashape. The size of the shape may be a function of how prevalently itsassociated unique identifier is found over the network in question.

In certain embodiments, a user may have the ability to edit his or hernetwork presence report. For example, a user may notice that aparticular piece of content has been falsely attributed to him or her bythe network presence management software. A user may also be providedwith a “my unique identifiers” (410) option that allows the user to viewand, in certain embodiments, modify the unique identifiers that havebeen attributed to his or her network presence report.

In certain embodiments, a reputation indicator (414) may be displayedthrough the network browser (402). The reputation indicator (414) mayindicate how a user's network presence is likely to be viewed or isviewed by others. For example, if several articles have been writtenwhich praise a particular user, then that reputation may present a morepositive indication. Conversely, if there is content that portrays auser negatively, then the reputation indicator may show a more negativeindication.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an illustrative public network presencemanagement system (500) which may be used to provide public networkpresence reports. According to certain embodiments, a network presencemanagement system (500) may include a database (508) of several users'web identities. In addition to a user (504) accessing the networkpresence management system (500) through a terminal (502-1), analternate user (510) may be able to access the user's (504) networkpresence from a terminal (502-2).

In some embodiments, network presence reports for several users may beavailable to the public. This may allow a landlord to view networkpresence reports for prospective tenants. It may also allow employers toview network presence reports for potential employees. In such anembodiment, it may be beneficial to prohibit a user from altering theirnetwork presence report as doing so may allow a user to unfairly presenthis or her reputation.

An embodiment that provides network presence reports to the public maybe embodied in the form of a network presence report database (508)stored somewhere on a network (506). A user (504) may be able to accessthe database (508) to view their own network presence report through aterminal (502-1). Likewise, an alternate user (510) may access thedatabase (508) through a separate terminal (502-2) to view a user's(504) network presence report.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method for forming anetwork presence. According to certain embodiments, the method mayinclude periodically searching (step 602) the network with the physicalcomputing device for content related to the user authored by a sourceother than the user, the searching being based on a unique set ofidentifiers associated with the user, dynamically updating (step 604)the unique set of identifiers based on contextual trends within contentresulting from the searching, and aggregating (step 606) contentpublished by the user to the network with the content resulting from thesearching to form the aggregate report of the presence of the user onthe network. The method may further include presenting (step 608) theaggregate report of the presence of the user on the network to at leastthe user through a user interface of the computing device.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A physical network presence management systemcomprising: a processor with a network interface; a memorycommunicatively coupled to the processor, the memory comprisingexecutable code stored thereon such that the executable code, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the processor to: maintain a uniqueset of identifiers associated with an individual, the unique set ofidentifiers comprising a plurality of identifiers, each identifier inthe set specifying a different characteristic of the individual usersuch that, collectively, the unique set of identifiers more accuratelyidentifies references to the individual in network content, the set ofidentifiers including a name of the individual and at least one otherdetail specific to the individual; automatically and periodically searcha network, through the network interface, for the unique set ofidentifiers to identify content published on the network that, was notauthored by the individual user, but still references or otherwiseidentifies the individual user as determined based on the unique set ofidentifiers associated with the individual; prepare an aggregate reportof identified content found on the network that is related to theindividual as determined using the set of unique identifiers to providethe individual with an indication of a reputation of the individualwithin content of the network, the aggregate report including areputation indicator displayed in a network browser, the reputationindicator indicating whether, based on identified network content, theindividual is more likely to have a positive or negative reputationamong other network users; search the identified content found on thenetwork that is related to the individual for a term that meets apredetermined criterion; and in response to identifying a term thatappears in the identified content and meets the predetermined criterion,add the term to the set of unique identifiers as an additionalidentifier found within the identified content, the term then being usedwith other identifiers in the set during subsequent rounds of theautomated, periodic searching.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theexecutable code causes the processor to implement a network crawler toautomatically browse network content looking for the unique set ofidentifiers.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the identified contentincludes both content published by the individual and content notpublished by the individual.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein anadditional identifier is added to the set of unique identifiers based ona frequency with which that additional identifier appears in theidentified content.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein an additionalidentifier is added to the set of unique identifiers based a contextualtrend in the identified content.
 6. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a user interface to accept user input modifying the set ofunique identifiers.
 7. The system of claim 1, the processor further totrack actions performed by the individual on the network and add anycontent published by the individual to the network to the identifiedcontent for use in generating the aggregate report.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, the processor further to notify the individual that theaggregate report provides at least one of: a positive portrayal of theindividual, a negative portrayal of the individual, and a neutralportrayal of the individual.
 9. The system of claim 8, the processorfurther to indicate to the individual a degree of positivity ornegativity of the portrayal.
 10. The system of claim 1, the processorfurther to prohibit the individual from making modifications to theaggregate report.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the contentsearched comprises all of blog postings, discussion forum postings, wikientries, news articles, public records, personal websites, directoryinformation and professional websites.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the set of unique identifiers includes websites the individualrepeatedly uses.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the search of thenetwork comprises a specified set of locations, where only the specifiedset of locations on the network are searched for content using theunique set of identifiers.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein a subsetof the locations is searched more frequently than other locations in thespecified set of locations for content using the unique set ofidentifiers.
 15. A physical network presence management systemcomprising: a processor with a network interface; a memorycommunicatively coupled to the processor, the memory comprisingexecutable code stored thereon such that the executable code, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the processor to: maintain a uniqueset of identifiers associated with the individual, the unique set ofidentifiers comprising a plurality of identifiers, each identifier inthe set specifying a different characteristic of the individual suchthat, collectively, the unique set of identifiers more accuratelyidentifies references to the individual in network content, the set ofidentifiers including a name of the individual and at least one otherdetail specific to the individual; automatically and periodically searchthe network using the unique set of identifiers as search criteria toidentify content published on the network that is related to theindividual; prepare an aggregate report of identified content found onthe network that is related to the individual as determined using theset of identifiers to provide the individual with an indication of thereputation of the individual within content of the network; search theidentified content found on the network that is related to theindividual for a term that meets a predetermined criterion; and inresponse to identifying a term that appears in the identified contentand meets the predetermined criterion, add the term to the set ofidentifiers as an additional identifier found within the identifiedcontent, the term then being used with other identifiers in the setduring subsequent rounds of the automated, periodic searching.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, further comprising executable code that, whenexecuted by the processor, causes the processor to automatically crawlnetwork content looking for the unique set of identifiers.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein an additional identifier is added to the setof identifiers based on a frequency with which that additionalidentifier appears in the identified content.
 18. The system of claim15, further comprising executable code that, when executed by theprocessor, causes the processor to accept user input modifying the setof identifiers.
 19. The system of claim 15, further comprisingexecutable code that, when executed by the processor, causes theprocessor to track actions performed by the individual on the networkand add any content published by the individual to the network to theidentified content for use in generating the aggregate report.
 20. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the individual is prohibited from makingmodifications to the aggregate report, and distributing the aggregatereport to a party other than the individual.